Kyiv Says Yanukovych Obtained Russian Citizenship

A Ukrainian official says ex-President Viktor Yanukovych and other former top officials have obtained Russian citizenship.

Ukrainian Interior Minister's aide Anton Herashchenko wrote on Facebook on October 3 that President Vladimir Putin signed a "secret decree" granting Russian citizenship to Yanukovych, former Prime Minister Mykola Azarov, ex-Prosecutor-General Viktor Pshonka, and members of their families.

Ukraine has launched criminal investigations against the three former top officials, accusing them of killings unarmed demonstrators.

The three fled Ukraine on the wake of antigovernment protests in late-February.

Speaking to Ekho Moskvy radio on October 3, Putin's press secretary Dmitry Peskov refused to comment on Herashchenko's statement.

Officials at Russia's Federal Immigration Service also declined to comment.